
■":< 






PRESENTED BY 



REPORT 

of the 

'Citizens' 
Relief 
Committee" 

appointed after 
the 

— Great — 
Baltimore 
Fire 

FEBRUARY 

7 and 8 
1904. 




ON FEBRUARY 7th and 8th, 1904, Baltimore 
was visited by a conflagration which completely 
destroyed the whole financial and business cen- 
tre of our city. In area, the fire covered 160 
acres, and many hundreds of buildings were entirely 
demolished. With only a few exceptions, all of our 
banks and trust companies 'were destroyed, and a large 
number of modern office buildings, commonly known as 
4 'sky scrapers", were seriously damaged. 

CL The fire departments of the neighboring cities re- 
sponded promptly to our calls, and the thanks of Balti- 
more are due to them, especially to the magnificent 
efforts of the New York firemen. 

€L The fire was hardly at an end when money and 
tenders of help poured in from all parts of the United 
States and elsewhere. The late Hon. Robert M. 
McLane, then Mayor of Baltimore, with rare foresight 
determined that Baltimore and Maryland could well take 
care of its own sufferers. 

C Fortunately, few homes had been destroyed, al- 
though many were thrown out of emplo3^ment and de- 
prived of their usual means of livelihood. 

Baltimore had on several occasions generously aided 
other stricken cities of our country, and had there been 
any necessity for so doing, Baltimore would gladly have 
accepted the generous assistance offered to her. The 
event has proved the wisdom of our Mayer's decision. 
For as the subsequent pages of this pampWet show, the 
self-reliant citizens of Baltimore were almost unwilling 
to accept anything from their own fellow citizens and 
the State of Maryland. An appropriation of $250,000 
was made by the State of Maryland, but the strange 
spectacle has been presented of nine-tenths of the appro- 
priation being unexpended. 



i2Ag'Q8 




IN VIEW of the enormous 1 o s s e s , 
the remarkably small showing of 
only $23,000 disbursed, proves that 
the virility and self-respect of Baltimore's 
citizens can not easily be matched, and 
the spirit of independence and capacity for 
self-help calls forth, even in this progres- 
sive age, wonder and admiration. : : : : 
The great buildings being erected in every 
direction, the seizing upon the opportunity 
to reconstruct the great wharf property, 
making Baltimore's harbor one of the best 
on the sea coast; the tremendous strides in 
commercial activity, together with citi- 
zens of such splendid calibre, are a few 
indications of Baltimore's great future. 



3 



Ctfetta' Belief Committer. 


* Robert M. McLane, Mayor, 


E. Clay 1 imanus, Mayor. 


rLx-L/mcio. 


Jeffrey R. Brackett, Chairman. 


David Hutzler, Treasurer. 


David Ambach, 


Eugene Levering, 


Leigh Bonsai, 


Evan H. Morgan, 


E. J. Codd, 


Alexander C. Nelson, 


J. R. Foard, 


Alfred S. Niles, 


G. W. Gail, 


Moses Pels, 


E. Stanley Gary, 


Blanchard Randall, 


John M. Glenn, 


Ira Remsen, 


Jas. C. Gorman, 


Ernest Schmeisser, 


Rev. John F. Goucher, 


E. Clay Timanus, 


Nathaniel G. Grasty, 


James R. Wheeler, 


Edward Hirsch, 


Miles White, 


Rev. Edward Huber, 


John S. Wilson. 


Brent Keyser, 




*The late lamented Mayor was succeeded by the Hon. E. Clay Timanus. 


iExrrutfoe (Emmtttttrr. 


^Jeffrey R. Brackett, Chairman. 


Alfred S. Niles, Chairman. 


Leigh Bonsai, 


Alexander C. Nelson, 


Nathaniel G. Grasty, 


Miles White. 


*Upon Dr. Jeffrey R. Brackett's removal from the City. Mr. Alfred S. Niles, of the Executive 
Committee, was appointed Chairman, and Mr. Nathaniel G. Grasty selected to fill the vacancy 
in the Executive Committee, 



4 



IMMEDIATELY after the awful fire, 
a number of public -spirited citizens 
assembled at the Mayor s request, 
in the reception room at the City 
Hall to discuss the appalling situa- 
tion, and the urgent needs of those left 
destitute. The result of this conference 
was the creation by the Mayor of t h e 
Citizens' Relief Committee. This Com- 
mittee organized, and several days after, 
at a called meeting, the following resolu- 
tion was adopted : 

^ ^ ^ 

Resolved, That the Relief Committee ap- 
pointed by the Hon. Robert M. McLane, 
Mayor of Baltimore, after careful consider- 
ation of the results of the great fire of 
February 7th and 8th, 1904, in Baltimore, 
hereby respectfully urges the General 
Assembly of Maryland to appropriate the 
sum of two hundred and fifty thousand 
dollars ($250,000) for the relief of those 
in actual need and want as the result of 
said fire, and that said sum shall be placed 
as a contingent fund at the disposal of His 
Excellency, Governor Warfield, as pro- 
vided in Section 32 of the Constitution of 
Maryland. 



5 



(Efljjy nf ^(txan 1 of % Art aa ptxsstb 



AN ACT 

Placing at the disposal of the Board of Public Works of 
this State, Hon. Thos. H. Robinson, Chairman of the 
Finance Committee of the Senate of Maryland, and the 
Hon. Edward E. Goslin, Chairman of the Ways and 
Means Committee of the House of Delegates of Mary- 
land, the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars 
for the relief of cases of destitution and need caused by 
the fire in Baltimore of February 7 and 8, 1904; and for 
the payment out of said money of the militia of the 
State who were called out for service in Baltimore im- 
mediately after said fire. 

€L Section i. — Be it enacted by the General Assembly 
of Maryland, that the sum of two hundred and fifty 
thousand dollars is hereby placed as a contingent fund at 
the disposal of the Board of Public Works of the State, 
the Hon. Thos. H. Robinson, Chairman of the Finance 
Committee of the Senate of Maryland, and the Hon. 
Edward E. Goslin, Chairman of the Ways and Means 
Committee of the House of Delegates, to be expended 
by them to such an extent as they may deem necessary 
to relieve cases of destitution and need caused by the 
great fire in Baltimore of February 7 and February 8, 
1904. And the Board of Public Works and the Chair- 
man of the two Committees above named in expending 
the said money for the purpose aforesaid, shall employ 
such persons or agencies as they may think best for suc- 
cessfully relieving those in need. 



6 



THE final meeting of the Mayor's Advisory 
Relief Committee was held at three 
o'clock P. M. in the City Hall, on the 
eleventh day of August. The Chairman of the 
Executive Committee read a report of the Ex- 
ecutive Committee's work, together with reports 
from other organizations which had co-operated 
with the Citizens' Relief Committee. On mo- 
tion, this report was accepted, and the Chair- 
man was authorized to present it to the Relief 
Fund Commission, and to turn over to the Re- 
lief Fund Commission the balance of $1,787.61, 
shown in the report. The Treasurer, Mr. David 
Hutzler, also presented his report, which had 
been duly audited, and found to be correct, by 
an auditing committee composed of Mr. Jas. C. 
Gorman and Mr. E. J. Codd. The thanks of 
the Committee were tendered to the Chairman 
and to the Treasurer of the Committee for their 
services. 

C Adjourned. 

The following is the Report in full : 



7 



iUport to % "iUtof iFutt6 (EommtBaton" 

The T(e li ef of Cases of Distress Caused by the Baltimore Fire, Created 
by the Act of the General Assembly of Maryland of IQ04. 

~~ENTLEMEN :— The Mayor's Advisory Commit- 
tee on Relief of Need due to the Baltimore Fire, 
through its Executive Committee, respectfully 
submits to you the following Report : 

CL On Saturday, February 13th, 1904, the late 
lamented Mayor, Robert M. McLane, appointed 
our Committee of twenty-six residents of Balti- 
more, and to it he intrusted the task of investigat- 
ing the conditions arising from the great fire of the 
preceding Sunday and Monday, and of recommending and taking 
such measures as might be necessary for the prompt relief of cases 
of distress arising from this cause. 

C The Committee organized on that date and appointed an Ex- 
ecutive Committee of five, consisting of Jeffrey R. Brackett, Chair- 
man ; Leigh Bonsai, Miles White, Alexander C. Nelson and 
Alfred S. Niles. Upon Dr. Brackett' s subsequent removal from 
the city and consequent resignation, Mr. Niles was appointed 
Chairman, and Mr. N. G. Grasty was selected to fill the vacancy, 
but until April 8th, 1904, the personnel of the Committee remained 
unchanged as at first appointed. 

C With his usual activity, tact and executive ability Dr. Brackett 
at once set to work upon the problem presented to us. Skilled 
workers were employed to determine how far the fire had resulted 
in exceptional distress and destitution, and the first conclusion of 
of the Committee was that there was no condition existing that 
required a new bureau with elaborate machinery, but that most of 




8 



the cases could be handled by the old established charitable organi- 
zations. It was also determined that so far as possible, sufferers of 
various nationalities and affiliations should be dealt with by their 
own friends and associates. In accordance with that idea, our Com- 
mittee made arrangements with the Hebrew Benevolent Society to 
specially care for the Hebrews, the German Society to care for the 
Germans, the St. Vincent de Paul Society to care for the persons 
connected with the Catholic Church, and the Federated Charities 
to care for those who were not included in the field of work belong- 
ing to other organizations. A great proportion of those people 
whose homes were destroyed by the fire were Italians, and an Italian 
Relief Committee was formed with representative Italian citizens at 
its head, which undertook specially to look after the sufferers among 
their fellow countrymen. 

CL A meeting of the clergy was called, and ministers of all de- 
nominations were asked to look into cases of need which arose in 
their respective churches. Communications were also had with 
benevolent and fraternal societies such as the Royal Arcanum, 
the Elks and the Odd Fellows, with a view to secure their special 
attention and aid to sufferers who might be affiliated with them. 
Our Committee agreed to advance such money as these organiza- 
tions might require, authorizing the organizations themselves, to 
give immediate relief where only small sums were necessary, but 
to report to us for our own special investigation cases where con- 
siderable amounts were recommended. 

CL In the course of our work we made use of the State Bureau 
of Industrial Statistics, and procured from it a census from em- 
ployers of persons who had lost situations by the fire, and were 
not likely soon to be given work. We also requested the State 
Employment Bureau to use temporarily such agents as might be 
necessary in trying, by personal interviews with employers, to get 
places for the applicants to the bureau for work who had lost their 
positions by the fire. In order to the proper discharge of our duties 
we employed at the time of greatest stress one bookkeeper and 
clerk, who should also investigate cases of need when required. 



9 



one agent who devoted his whole time to the investigation of cases, 
and a stenographer. This was practically the full office force which 
we have ever had, and was reduced from time to time as the service 
of one or another could be dispensed with. 

CL For our meeting place we used the rooms of the Department 
of Charities and Corrections at the City Hall, which were placed 
at our disposal rent free. 

CL The plan pursued by us seems to have worked admirably. The 
churches very largely took care of their own members who were in 
distress without calling upon us for aid. The same is true in regard 
to the beneficial and fraternal orders. The other agencies investi- 
gated by their trusted employees each case, and did what we believe 
to be exceptionally conscientious and effective work. 

CL During the first few weeks of our existence we distributed about 
$10,000.00 advanced by charitable individuals in the expectation 
that it would be repaid from a Legislative appropriation which was 
suggested and promised almost immediately after the fire. When 
the Legislative appropriation was made, your Commission repaid 
these amounts so advanced, and continued the Executive Commit- 
tee with full power to carry on its work on the lines above in- 
dicated. 

CL Our effort has been to create a clear understanding by all that 
the relief contemplated by the Legislature in making the appropria- 
tion was to meet actual need, to secure the necessities of life, or 
the means by which the sufferer himself would be enabled to pro- 
cure them, and not a reimbursement against loss by the fire. Per- 
sons in need were expected to try every source available before 
applying to us for assistance. To the extent of $1,039.00, as will 
hereafter appear in our Report, the relief was given in the form of 
loans, the evidence of which we will turn over to the Secretary of 
your Commission together with our vouchers. 

CL Of course the amount of money spent by us from the State s 
appropriation does not represent all the money contributed to fire 
sufferers. Beside much that is unknown to us, we have learned of 
many special contributions that were made through each of the 

10 



agencies employed by us to meet needs of sufferers who specially 
appealed to certain individuals. 

C The total amount, however, of assistance required by the 
sufferers through our Baltimore Fire from sources outside of them- 
selves and their own exertions seems remarkably small in view of 
the enormous losses which were sustained by our City. Neverthe- 
less, we think that our fellow citizens have now adapted themselves 
to their changed conditions. New applications for relief have so 
far ceased that we feel that our work is practically over, and that 
we may now well render an account of our stewardship and be 
discharged from further work. Our understanding is that any 
cases of need which may arise in the future will be dealt with by 
the Relief Fund Commission directly, and that this Commission 
will also take such means as they may see fit to receive whatever 
payments may be made in reimbursement of the amounts advanced 
by us as loans. 

C We have assisted through the agency of the German Society 
thirty-two families to the amount of $614.75 ; through the Italian 
Relief Committee we have assisted one hundred and eight families 
to the amount of $3,999-02; through the St. Vincent de Paul 
Society we have assisted sixty-six families to the amount of $917.58; 
through the Hebrew Benevolent Society we have assisted two hun- 
dred and thirty-eight families to the amount of $4,296.40; through 
the Federated Charities we have assisted four hundred and eighty- 
five families to the amount of $4,774.02 ; through our own Com- 
mittee directly we have assisted one hundred and thirty-four families 
through gifts to the amount of $5,986.03 ; and through loans to 
the amount of $1,037.00; making a total of 1,063 families helped 
by means of the Legislative appropriation. 

C We have also paid to the Instructive Visiting Nurses Associa- 
tion the sum of $250.00 for nurses employed to render services to 
families with illness due to exposure arising from the fire, and $69.01 
for "transportation." 

C The expenses directly incurred by our Committee have been 
$1,269.00, or about 5^2 per cent, of the amount handled, There 



11 



were, however, included in the amounts paid by us to the charitable 
organizations above named, certain sums paid for expenses neces- 
sarily incurred by them in caring for distinctively "Fire Relief 
Work/' the addition of which to our own expense account would 
make the total between 7 per cent, and 8 per cent. 

We have used in all $23,212.81, forty-two cents of which 
however, is interest on loans repaid, making a net expenditure of 
$23,212.39. A complete record has been kept of every case that 
came before us, and we have turned over to your Commission a 
voucher for every expenditure. 

CL Of course, there may be much just criticism upon our methods 
and the results accomplished, but we have never acted in any case 
except upon full investigation, have never made an appropriation 
that we did not feel was properly within the province and duty of 
our Committee, and, at the same time, we do not know of a single 
applicant for relief who, after the settlement of his case, and explan- 
ation to him of the reason for our action, feels that he has any 
cause of complaint. 

CL We would say in conclusion that the thought uppermost in our 
minds is one of admiration for the capacity of self-help which has 
been shown by our City. Although about $170,000.00 net was 
appropriated by the Legislature, there never was a rush of applicants 
who seemed to us to make unnecessary applications for relief simply 
to get a share of the appropriation. Not only did the churches and 
fraternal organizations show a disposition to take care of their own 
members without assistance from the public treasury, but the indi- 
vidual citizens of Baltimore showed the same spirit of independence, 
and the record of an appropriation of $170,000.00 for the purposes 
of relief, of which more than $146,000.00 is turned back into the 
public treasury, would seem to us monumental in its character, and 
a proof the virility and self-respect of our citizens that cannot easily 
be matched. 

CL While each member of the Executive Committee has given an 
enormous amount of time and attention and effort to the work, we 
feel that it is only justice to say that if we have had any success it is 



12 



pre-eminently due to the skill and knowledge of our first Chairman, 
Mr. Jeffrey R. Brackett, whose departure from our City and con- 
sequent loss from our Committee is a cause for deep regret for us all. 

C We append brief reports from the organizations which have 
co-operated with us. 

Respectfully submitted, 

ALFRED S. NILES, 
Chairman of the Executive Committee 

Baltimore, August I Ith, IQ04. 




13 



Federated Charities, 

ioi W. Saratoga St., 
Baltimore. 



August 9TH, 1904. 
Citizens' Relief Committee , Mr. Alfred S. Niles, Chairman. 
Gentlemen: 

On behalf of our Federated Charities, consisting of the Baltimore Association 
for the Improvement of the Condition of the Poor and the Charity Organization 
Society, permit me to submit the following summary touching our work as agents 
of the Citizens' Relief Committee in the interest of the sufferers of the great fire 
of February 7 and 8. 

The fire came in the midst of an unusually cold winter which was already 
severely taxing our resources. Along with other private charities ministering to 
the poor in their own homes, we were glad to be made use of as your agents in 
assisting in the alleviation of the special distress caused by the great conflagra- 
tion. In addition to our regular corps of fourteen agents and several assistants, 
in order adequately to meet the situation we found it necessary to employ addi- 
tional helpers. The New York Charity Organization Society, The Philadelphia 
Society for Organizing Charity, and the Associated Charities of Washington, 
each volunteered to send a trained worker, and this offer was gladly accepted. 
At one time we had as many as twelve extra assistants employed, your Committee 
having volunteered to meet this expense of extra service. The situation reached 
its climax about the first of March, at which date our heaviest expenditures on 
behalf of fire sufferers were made. After this time the demands for fire relief 
gradually diminished. 

The following statistics may be of interest to your Committee: 

Number of Families Assisted. 
244 different families were assisted but once. 



1 14 " ' ' but twice. 

53 " " " " three times. 

24 ' * Cl ' ' " four times. 

16 " " " " five times. 

27 " " " " between six and ten times. 

7 " " more than ten times. 

Total, 485 



14 



Thus of a total of 485 different families assisted by us as your agents, more than 
half of them were helped but once, which is the best evidence of the recuperative 
power of fire sufferers and their own resourcefulness. From the start it was our 
endeavor to give sufficient assistance to meet the immediate emergency, thus sav- 
ing repeated applications for relief on the part of those who were referred or 
came to us for help and who had hitherto been unaccustomed to ask for charitable 
aid. In many instances the immediate need was for food, fuel or clothing, while 
in other cases the best service which could be rendered was to supply work- 
ing equipment such as tools or other outfit. So far as possible families were 
visited in their own homes and every effort was made to shield applicants from all 
publicity, names and addresses being regarded as strictly confidential. The 
charges of " red tape" in method which found an occasional echo through the 
public press were quite unfounded, as in every instance where relief was needed 
action was not only prompt, but aimed to meet every pressing necessity. 

The amounts expended for various purposes by our Federated Charities as 
agents for your Committee have been as follows: 



For Food, 


. $1,421.94 


For Fuel, 


354-45 


Cash for Sundries, 


799-37 


For Clothing, 


186.83 


For Sick Diet, 


123.27 


For Furniture, 


509.10 


For Tools, 


447.12 


For Rent, 


389.90 


For Extra Service, 


542.04 


Total, 


$4,774.02 



In addition to the above expenditures, we have spent upwards of $600.00 in 
special fire relief work, which money has come from private donations con- 
tributed for the purpose. 

In conclusion, permit us to express our appreciation of the opportunity which 
you have given us to be of service in this emergency. We feel that your Com- 
mittee, generously supported as it has been by the State appropriation, has fur- 
nished an example of wisely planned and sympathetic relief in time of civic 
calamity that must have its influence upon other localities in meeting similar 
emergencies. The confidence of the community in the resourcefulness and 
recuperative energy of its own people has been abundantly justified, as illustrated 
by the fact that for the four weeks ending July 9, or scarcely six months after the 
fire occurred, we spent as your agents for material assistance for fire sufferers but 
$91.60. While doubtless another winter we shall experience certain after effects 

*5 



of the fire, it is hoped that private charity, supported as it always has been by 
the liberal gifts of the citizens of Baltimore, will be abundantly able to meet the 
situation without assistance from the public treasury. 

Respectfully submitted, 

WALTER S. UFFORD, 

General Secretary, 

Baltimore Association for the Improvement of the 
Condition of the Poor, and the Charity Organi- 
zation Society. 




ID 



Hebrew Benevolent Society 

of Baltimore, 
411 West Fayette Street. 



August 6th, 1904. 

Alfred S. Niles, Esq., Chairman Fire Relief Fund 
Committee . 

Dear Sir: 

In reply to your favor this date, would report that 
we expended the sum of $5,104.40. Crediting- the 
sum $808.00 donated by various parties to us for that 
especial purpose, leaving the net amount of $4,296.40. 
Assisted 238 persons or families; some were started in 
business again, having no insurance; others sewing 
machines and tools; large number, furniture and 
clothing, &c. 

Our co-operation with the Relief Committee has 
been of the most satisfactory character, its system 
elegant, and our work together prompt, effective, with 
good results. 

Very respectfully, 

MOSES BRENNER, 

Secretary. 



17 



Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 

Baltimore, Md. 



August 8th, 1904. 

Mr. Alfred S. Niles, Esq., Chairman Executive Committee Mayor's Relief 

Fund. 
Dear Sir: 

Yours of the 5th inst. requesting a report of the relief work by the St. Vincent 
de Paul Society just after and for several months immediately succeeding the 
great fire, is before us, and we cheerfully comply. 

Much of our early work, growing out of the fire, was done without any idea 
of the Society being reimbursed, and therefore the expenditures were not kept 
separate from our usual or ordinary relief work, and it was only later on, the 
necessity of separating the two, was impressed upon our conferences. It would 
be impossible now to grant you a detailed statement of the exact number of 
persons seeking relief at our hands. With our system of investigation however, 
covering as it does, almost the entire City, all applicants were promptly investi- 
gated, and when found in need and worthy, quickly relieved either in kind or by 
cash, which latter was only given when it was absolutely necessary or to buy tools 
or stock, and even then, paid out through a Brother Vincentian. We unearthed 
a few frauds. 

A number of instances were brought to our notice where the applicants lost 
their all; such as tools and other working implements of various kinds by which 
a livelihood was earned and many families supported, and all were swept away 
in a few hours without one cent's worth of insurance to reimburse the losers. It 
was perhaps a bootblack who earned a support for his widowed mother and 
several younger brothers and sisters, who before our Committee found and as- 
sisted him, had taken up the sale on the streets of newspapers, but who promptly 
admitted that he was not earning sufficient support and begged us to start him 
again; or the case of a burnt out merchant only partially insured who sought 
advice; the insurance was only sufficient to pay off the claims and left nothing 
to carry on the business. This was not a case for financial aid or which desired 
help, but one in which the individual sought advice. After several personal 
interviews and some correspondence, we reached a satisfactory understanding, 
which was to divide up the insurance money about equally into three parts be- 
tween the creditors, the rehabilitation of the plant and stock to run the concern; 
the credit of the concern was good, and all the creditors cheerfully consented to 
wait andjn doing so, assist in the re-establishment of the firm. Later we were 
informed that this plan worked out admirably. 

IS 



There was the case of a carpenter who lost all his tools which the Committee 
promptly purchased for him and he was soon at work supporting his family, a 
wife and several small children. The case of a person who lost everything that 
they possessed in the world was brought to our attention, investigated and found 
in need and worthy, and the cash furnished to again start in business. 

The case of an orphan who was thrown out of employment was investigated, 
and board recommended to be paid until work could be procured. They were 
all most profuse in their thanks and veiy grateful. There were many others 
which might be cited, but these few cases are a fair sample and selected at ran- 
dom from the numerous ones coming under our observation. 

The society expended several thousand dollars immediately after the fire, which 
of course included our regular relief work, but a large part of this sum was 
traceable directly to the fire sufferers, a part (about one-third) only of which we 
have asked to be re-imbursed for, which your Committee promptly sent us a 
check for. 

Hoping that this brief summary may be sufficient for your Committee, and 
calling your attention to a statistical report of the expenditure of the $917.58 
received from the State and already furnished the Committee, we beg to remain, 
on behalf of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 



Yours very truly, 

WM. F. WHEATLEY, 
Secretary Particular Council of "Baltimore. 




19 



The 

German Society of Maryland, 

219 South Sharp Street, 
Baltimore. 



August 9TH, 1904. 

Alfred S. Niles, Esq., Chairman Fire Relief Fund 
Commission. 

Dear Sir: 

Answering your favor of August 5th, I can here- 
with give you the report that through the German 
Society of Maryland the sum of $616.75, including 
the donation of $2.00, has been expended to fire suf- 
ferers of German nationality. 

31 families and 1 single person have been assisted 
by our Society, some of them were started in business 
again, having no insurance, or were not paid by the 
insurance companies. Furniture, fuel, tools, gro- 
ceries and clothing and 1 sewing machine have been 
granted. 

Our work with the Relief Committee has been very 
satisfactory, earning the best results. 

Very respectfully, 

JOHN D. MEYER, 

Agent. 



20 



Italian Relief Committee, 

(For the Fire Sufferers of the 7-8 February, 1904.) 

Office No. 112 N. Liberty St., 
Baltimore, Md. 



August 9TH, 1904. 
Alfred S. Niles y Esq., Chairman, and Members of 
the Central Relief Committee of Fire Sufferers. 

Gentlemen: 

I am instructed by the Italian Relief Committee to 
submit to you, gentlemen, the final Report of our 
work. 

We received through your Committee $3,999.02; 
this money was distributed amongst 108 families. In 
some cases we bought coal, provisions and furniture; 
in a great many cases we gave a little capital where 
we set them up in business, and these are doing well 
now. There was not a single family overlooked that 
needed assistance. Our Committee was distributed all 
over the city looking out for fire sufferers, whether 
they were burned out or lost their positions on account 
of the fire. We took care of a great many in getting 
them employment, both men and women, and every 
one that we looked after is doing well and making his 
own living. 

In conclusion, this Committee returns its sincere 
thanks to the Chairman, including every member of 
your Committee, for the courtesy extended to us, and 
begs to state that we also ended our work, not only in 
harmony with each other, but with increase of respect 
and confidence. 

We also return our thanks to the Governor of Mary- 
land as Chairman of the Funds Committee. 

I am, with greatest respect, yours, 

ALEX. CUTINO, 

President of the Italian Relief Committee . 



21 



Italian Relief Committee, 

(For the Fire Sufferers of the 7-8 February, 1904.) 

Office No. 112 N. Liberty St., 
Baltimore, Md. 



FINAL STATEMENT 

OF THE 

Italian Relief Committee for the Fire Sufferers 
of February 7-8, 1904. 



Received from the Central Committee of the City 

of Baltimore, ..... $3,999-02 

Distributed as Follows: 

For the relief of 108 families. Cash, 

Groceries, Provisions, Fuel, &c, $3,923.19 

Stationery, Printing Matter, Stamps, 

&c, ....... 75-83 

$3>999-°2 

The Secretary, The President, 

A. BELLI. ALEX. CUTINO. 



22 



Statement of AnmmL 



The Executive Committee of the Mayor's Advisory Committee 
on the Relief of the Sufferers from the Baltimore Fire 

with 

The Relief Fund Commission created by the General Assembly of 
Maryland, Act of 1904, Chapter 129. 



RECEIPTS. 



Drew on Relief Fund Commission in all, . . $25,000.00 
Received from Interest on Loans, . . . .42 



$25,000.42 

DISBURSEMENTS. 
As per summary hereto annexed and schedules, . $23,212.81 

Balance, < $1,787.61 

For which check is hereto attached. 



23 



To Federated Charities, 


Schedule A, 


$4-774-02 


Hebrew Benevolent Society, 


" B, 


4,296.40 


Italian Relief Committee, 


c, 


3,999-02 


German Society, 


D, 


614.75 


Visiting Nurses' Association, 


E, 


250.00 


Transportation, 


F, 


69.01 


" Gifts, . . . 


" G, 


5,986.03 


Loans, .... 


H, 


1,037.00 


Expenses, .... 


J, 


1,269.00 


St. Vincent de Paul Society, 


K, 


9I7-58 


Total, 




$23,212.81 



24 



Hon. Edwin Warfield, Governor. 

Murray Vandiver, 
Gordon T. Atkinson, 
Thomas H. Robinson, 
Edward E. Goslin. 




25 



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